7-substituted sulfonimidoylpurinone compounds for the treatment of virus infection

Abstract

The present invention relates to compounds of formula (I), wherein R 1 , R 2 and R 3 are as described herein, and their prodrugs or pharmaceutically acceptable salt, enantiomer or diastereomer thereof, and compositions including the compounds and methods of using the compounds.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound of formula (I), 
       
         
           
           
               
               
           
         
       
       wherein:
 R 1  is C 1-6 alkyl; 
 R 2  is benzyl, said benzyl being unsubstituted or substituted by halogen or C 1-6 alkyl; 
 R 3  is azetidinyl; piperazinyl substituted by C 1-6 alkyl; piperidinyl substituted by piperidinyl; pyrrolidinyl; or NR 4 R 5 , wherein:
 R 4  is C 1-6 alkyl or C 1-6 alkoxyC 1-6 alkyl; 
 R 5  is (C 1-6 alkyl) 2 NCOOC 1-6 alkyl, C 1-6 alkoxyC 1-6 alkyl, 
 C 1-6 alkoxycarbonyl(C 1-6 alkyl)aminoC 1-6 alkyl, 
 C 1-6 alkoxycarbonyl(phenyl)C 1-6 alkyl, C 1-6 alkoxycarbonylC 1-6 alkyl, 
 C 1-6 alkoxycarbonyloxyC 1-6 alkyl, C 1-6 alkyl, 
 C 1-6 alkylcarbonyl(C 1-6 alkyl)aminoC 1-6 alkyl or pyrrolidinylcarbamoyloxyC 1-6 alkyl; 
 
 or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, enantiomer or diastereomer thereof; 
 and a therapeutically inert carrier, 
 with the proviso that: 
 6-amino-9-benzyl-2-(propylsulfonimidoyl)-7-(pyrrolidine-1-carbonyl)purin-8-one; 
 6-amino-9-benzyl-7-(piperidine-1-carbonyl)-2-(propylsulfonimidoyl)purin-8-one; 
 ethyl-1-[6-amino-9-benzyl-8-oxo-2-(propyl sulfonimidoyl)purine-7-carbonyl]pyrrolidine-2-carboxylate; and their enantiomers, diastereomers, and pharmaceutically acceptable salts are excluded. 
 
     
     
       2. A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 R 1  is ethyl or propyl; 
 R 2  is benzyl, bromobenzyl, chlorobenzyl, fluorobenzyl or methylbenzyl; and 
 R 3  is azetidinyl; 4-methylpiperazinyl; piperidinylpiperidinyl; pyrrolidinyl; or —NR 4 R 5 , wherein:
 R 4  is methyl, ethyl, propyl or methoxyethyl; 
 R 5  is acetyl(methyl)aminoethyl, butyl, butyl(methyl)carbamoyloxyethyl, diethylcarbamoyloxyethyl, ethoxycarbonyl(methyl)aminoethyl, ethoxycarbonylethyl, ethoxycarbonylisobutyl, ethoxycarbonylisopentyl, ethoxycarbonylmethyl, ethoxycarbonyloxyethyl, ethoxycarbonyl(phenyl)ethyl, ethyl, isobutyl, isopropoxycarbonylisopentyl, isopropoxycarbonyl(phenyl)ethyl, isopropyl, methoxycarbonyl(methyl)aminoethyl, methoxyethyl, methoxypropyl, propyl, propyl(methyl)carbamoyloxyethyl, pyrrolidinylcarbamoyloxyethyl, tert-butoxycarbonyl(methyl)aminoethyl, tert-butoxycarbonyl ethyl, tert-butoxycarbonylisopentyl or tert-butoxycarbonyl(phenyl)ethyl. 
 
 
     
     
       3. A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 2 , wherein:
 R 3  is azetidinyl, 4-methylpiperazinyl, piperidinylpiperidinyl, pyrrolidinyl, acetyl(methyl)aminoethyl(methyl)amino, bis(methoxyethyl)amino, butyl(ethyl)amino, butyl(methyl)amino, butyl(methyl)carbamoyloxyethyl(methyl)amino, diethylcarbamoyloxyethyl(methyl)amino, ethoxycarbonyl(methyl)aminoethyl(methyl)amino, ethoxycarbonylethyl(methyl)amino, ethoxycarbonylisobutyl(methyl)amino, ethoxycarbonylisopentyl(methyl)amino, ethoxycarbonylmethyl(methyl)amino, ethoxycarbonyloxyethyl(methyl)amino, ethoxycarbonyl(phenyl)ethyl(methyl)amino, ethyl(methyl)amino, isobutyl(methyl)amino, isopropoxycarbonylisopentyl(methyl)amino, isopropoxycarbonyl(phenyl)ethyl(methyl)amino, isopropyl(methyl)amino, methoxycarbonyl(methyl)aminoethyl(methyl)amino, methoxyethyl(ethyl)amino, methoxyethyl(methyl)amino, methoxyethyl(propyl)amino, methoxypropyl(methyl)amino, propyl(ethyl)amino, propyl(methyl)amino, propyl(methyl)carbamoyloxyethyl(methyl)amino, pyrrolidinylcarbamoyloxyethyl(methyl)amino, tert-butoxycarbonyl(methyl)aminoethyl(methyl)amino, tert-butoxycarbonylethyl(methyl)amino, tert-butoxycarbonylisopentyl(methyl)amino, or tert-butoxycarbonyl(phenyl)ethyl(methyl)amino. 
 
     
     
       4. A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 1 , wherein R 1  is ethyl. 
     
     
       5. A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 1 , wherein R 2  is benzyl substituted by halogen or C 1-6 alkyl. 
     
     
       6. A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 1 , wherein R 2  is bromobenzyl, chlorobenzyl, fluorobenzyl or methylbenzyl. 
     
     
       7. A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 1 , wherein R 2  is bromobenzyl, chlorobenzyl or fluorobenzyl. 
     
     
       8. A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 1 , wherein R 3  is —NR 4 R 5 , R 4  is C 1-6 alkyl, and R 5  is C 1-6 alkyl. 
     
     
       9. A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 8 , wherein R 3  is propyl(methyl)amino or ethyl(methyl)amino. 
     
     
       10. A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 1 , wherein:
 R 1  is C 1-6 alkyl; 
 R 2  is benzyl, said benzyl being substituted by halogen or C 1-6 alkyl; and 
 R 3  is —NR 4 R 5 , wherein R 4  is C 1-6 alkyl, and R 5  is C 1-6 alkyl. 
 
     
     
       11. A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 10 , wherein:
 R 1  is ethyl; 
 R 2  is methylbenzyl, bromobenzyl, chlorobenzyl or fluorobenzyl; and 
 R 3  is propyl(methyl)amino or ethyl(methyl)amino. 
 
     
     
       12. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound selected from:
 6-Amino-9-benzyl-N-methyl-8-oxo-N-propyl-2-(propylsulfonimidoyl)purine-7-carboxamide; 
 6-Amino-9-benzyl-N-(2-methoxyethyl)-N-methyl-8-oxo-2-(propyl sulfonimidoyl)purine-7-carboxamide; 
 6-Amino-9-benzyl-N-ethyl-8-oxo-N-propyl-2-(propylsulfonimidoyl)purine-7-carboxamide; 
 6-Amino-9-benzyl-7-[4-(1-piperidyl)piperidine-1-carbonyl]-2-(propylsulfonimidoyl)purin-8-one; 
 6-Amino-9-benzyl-N-ethyl-N-(2-methoxyethyl)-8-oxo-2-(propylsulfonimidoyl)purine-7-carboxamide; 
 6-Amino-9-benzyl-N-butyl-N-ethyl-8-oxo-2-(propylsulfonimidoyl)purine-7-carboxamide; 
 6-Amino-9-benzyl-N-(2-methoxyethyl)-8-oxo-N-propyl-2-(propylsulfonimidoyl)purine-7-carboxamide; 
 6-Amino-9-benzyl-N,N-bis(2-methoxyethyl)-8-oxo-2-(propylsulfonimidoyl)purine-7-carboxamide; 
 6-Amino-7-(azetidine-1-carbonyl)-9-benzyl-2-(propylsulfonimidoyl)purin-8-one; 
 6-Amino-9-benzyl-N-isopropyl-N-methyl-8-oxo-2-(propylsulfonimidoyl)purine-7-carboxamide; 
 6-Amino-9-benzyl-7-(4-methylpiperazine-1-carbonyl)-2-(propylsulfonimidoyl)purin-8-one; 
 6-Amino-9-benzyl-N-(3-methoxypropyl)-N-methyl-8-oxo-2-(propylsulfonimidoyl)purine-7-carboxamide; 
 6-Amino-9-benzyl-N-isobutyl-N-methyl-8-oxo-2-(propylsulfonimidoyl)purine-7-carboxamide; 
 ethyl-2-[[6-amino-9-benzyl-8-oxo-2-(propylsulfonimidoyl)purine-7-carbonyl]-methyl-amino]acetate; 
 ethyl-3-[[6-amino-9-benzyl-8-oxo-2-(propylsulfonimidoyl)purine-7-carbonyl]-methyl-amino]propanoate; 
 tert-butyl-3-[[6-amino-9-benzyl-8-oxo-2-(propylsulfonimidoyl)purine-7-carbonyl]-methyl-amino]propanoate; 
 ethyl-(2S)-2-[[6-amino-9-benzyl-8-oxo-2-(propylsulfonimidoyl)purine-7-carbonyl]-methyl-amino]propanoate; 
 tert-butyl-(2S)-2-[[6-amino-9-benzyl-8-oxo-2-(propylsulfonimidoyl)purine-7-carbonyl]-methyl-amino]-4-methyl-pentanoate; 
 isopropyl-(2S)-2-[[6-amino-9-benzyl-8-oxo-2-(propylsulfonimidoyl)purine-7-carbonyl]-methyl-amino]-4-methyl-pentanoate; 
 ethyl-(2S)-2-[[6-amino-9-benzyl-8-oxo-2-(propylsulfonimidoyl)purine-7-carbonyl]-methyl-amino]-3-methyl-butanoate; 
 ethyl-(2S)-2-[[6-amino-9-benzyl-8-oxo-2-(propylsulfonimidoyl)purine-7-carbonyl]-methyl-amino]-4-methyl-pentanoate; 
 ethyl-(2S)-2-[[6-amino-9-benzyl-8-oxo-2-(propylsulfonimidoyl)purine-7-carbonyl]-methyl-amino]-3-phenyl-propanoate; 
 isopropyl-(2S)-2-[[6-amino-9-benzyl-8-oxo-2-(propylsulfonimidoyl)purine-7-carbonyl]-methyl-amino]-3-phenyl-propanoate; 
 tert-butyl-(2S)-2-[[6-amino-9-benzyl-8-oxo-2-(propylsulfonimidoyl)purine-7-carbonyl]-methyl-amino]-3-phenyl-propanoate; 
 N-[2-[Acetyl(methyl)amino]ethyl]-6-amino-9-benzyl-N-methyl-8-oxo-2-(propylsulfonimidoyl)purine-7-carboxamide; 
 methyl-N-[2-[[6-amino-9-benzyl-8-oxo-2-(propylsulfonimidoyl)purine-7-carbonyl]-methyl-amino]ethyl]-N-methyl-carbamate; 
 tert-butyl-N-[2-[[6-amino-9-benzyl-8-oxo-2-(propylsulfonimidoyl)purine-7-carbonyl]-methyl-amino]ethyl]-N-methyl-carbamate; 
 ethyl-N-[2-[[6-amino-9-benzyl-8-oxo-2-(propylsulfonimidoyl)purine-7-carbonyl]-methyl-amino]ethyl]-N-methyl-carbamate; 
 2-[[6-Amino-9-benzyl-8-oxo-2-(propylsulfonimidoyl)purine-7-carbonyl]-methyl-amino]ethyl N-butyl-N-methyl-carbamate; 
 2-[[6-Amino-9-benzyl-8-oxo-2-(propylsulfonimidoyl)purine-7-carbonyl]-methyl-amino]ethyl pyrrolidine-1-carboxylate; 
 2-[[6-Amino-9-benzyl-8-oxo-2-(propylsulfonimidoyl)purine-7-carbonyl]-methyl-amino]ethyl N-methyl-N-propyl-carbamate; 
 2-[[6-Amino-9-benzyl-8-oxo-2-(propylsulfonimidoyl)purine-7-carbonyl]-methyl-amino]ethyl N,N-diethylcarbamate; 
 2-[[6-Amino-9-benzyl-8-oxo-2-(propylsulfonimidoyl)purine-7-carbonyl]-methyl-amino]ethyl ethyl carbonate; 
 6-Amino-N-butyl-9-[(4-chlorophenyl)methyl]-N-methyl-8-oxo-2-[S(S)-propylsulfonimidoyl]purine-7-carboxamide; 
 6-amino-N-butyl-9-[(4-chlorophenyl)methyl]-N-methyl-8-oxo-2-[S(S)-propylsulfonimidoyl]purine-7-carboxamide; 
 6-Amino-9-[(4-chlorophenyl)methyl]-N-ethyl-N-methyl-8-oxo-2-(propylsulfonimidoyl)purine-7-carboxamide; 
 6-Amino-N-methyl-8-oxo-N-propyl-2[S(S)-propylsulfonimidoyl]-9-(p-tolylmethyl)purine-7-carboxamide; 
 6-Amino-N-methyl-8-oxo-N-propyl-2[S(R)-propylsulfonimidoyl]-9-(p-tolylmethyl)purine-7-carboxamide; 
 6-Amino-2-[S(S)-propylsulfonimidoyl]-9-(p-tolylmethyl)-7-(pyrrolidine-1-carbonyl)purin-8-one; 
 6-Amino-2-[S(R)-propylsulfonimidoyl]-9-(p-tolylmethyl)-7-(pyrrolidine-1-carbonyl)purin-8-one; 
 6-Amino-N-(2-methoxyethyl)-N-methyl-8-oxo-2-[S(S)-propylsulfonimidoyl]-9-(p-tolylmethyl)purine-7-carboxamide; 
 6-Amino-N-(2-methoxyethyl)-N-methyl-8-oxo-2-[S(R)-propylsulfonimidoyl]-9-(p-tolylmethyl)purine-7-carboxamide; 
 6-Amino-N-ethyl-N-methyl-8-oxo-2-(propyl sulfonimidoyl)-9-(p-tolylmethyl)purine-7-carboxamide; 
 6-Amino-N-butyl-N-methyl-8-oxo-2-(propyl sulfonimidoyl)-9-(p-tolylmethyl)purine-7-carboxamide; 
 6-Amino-9-[(4-chlorophenyl)methyl]-2-[S(R)-ethylsulfonimidoyl]-N-methyl-8-oxo-N-propyl-purine-7-carboxamide; 
 6-Amino-9-[(4-chlorophenyl)methyl]-2-[S(S)-ethylsulfonimidoyl]-N-methyl-8-oxo-N-propyl-purine-7-carboxamide; 
 6-Amino-9-[(4-chlorophenyl)methyl]-N-ethyl-2[S(S)-ethylsulfonimidoyl]-N-methyl-8-oxo-purine-7-carboxamide; 
 6-Amino-9-[(4-chlorophenyl)methyl]-N-ethyl-2-[S(R)-ethylsulfonimidoyl]-N-methyl-8-oxo-purine-7-carboxamide; 
 6-Amino-2-[S(S)-ethylsulfonimidoyl]-N-methyl-8-oxo-N-propyl-9-(p-tolylmethyl)purine-7-carboxamide; 
 6-Amino-2-[S(R)-ethylsulfonimidoyl]-N-methyl-8-oxo-N-propyl-9-(p-tolylmethyl)purine-7-carboxamide; 
 6-Amino-N-ethyl-2[S(S)-ethylsulfonimidoyl]-N-methyl-8-oxo-9-(p-tolylmethyl)purine-7-carboxamide; 
 6-Amino-N-ethyl-2-[S(R)-ethylsulfonimidoyl]-N-methyl-8-oxo-9-(p-tolylmethyl)purine-7-carboxamide; 
 6-Amino-2-[S(S)ethylsulfonimidoyl]-9-[(4-fluorophenyl)methyl]-N-methyl-8-oxo-N-propyl-purine-7-carboxamide; 
 6-Amino-2-[S(R)ethylsulfonimidoyl]-9-[(4-fluorophenyl)methyl]-N-methyl-8-oxo-N-propyl-purine-7-carboxamide; 
 6-Amino-N-ethyl-2-(ethylsulfonimidoyl)-9-[(4-fluorophenyl)methyl]-N-methyl-8-oxo-purine-7-carboxamide; 
 6-Amino-N-ethyl-2-[S(S)-(ethylsulfonimidoyl)]-9-[(4-fluorophenyl)methyl]-N-methyl-8-oxo-purine-7-carboxamide; 
 6-Amino-N-ethyl-2-[S(R)-(ethylsulfonimidoyl)]-9-[(4-fluorophenyl)methyl]-N-methyl-8-oxo-purine-7-carboxamide; 
 6-Amino-9-[(4-bromophenyl)methyl]-2-(ethylsulfonimidoyl)-N-methyl-8-oxo-N-propyl-purine-7-carboxamide; 
 6-Amino-2-[S(R)-ethylsulfonimidoyl]-9-[(4-bromophenyl)methyl]-N-methyl-8-oxo-N-propyl-purine-7-carboxamide; 
 6-Amino-2-[S(S)-ethylsulfonimidoyl]-9-[(4-bromophenyl)methyl]-N-methyl-8-oxo-N-propyl-purine-7-carboxamide; 
 6-Amino-9-[(4-bromophenyl)methyl]-N-ethyl-2-(ethylsulfonimidoyl)-N-methyl-8-oxo-purine-7-carboxamide; 
 6-Amino-9-[(4-bromophenyl)methyl]-N-ethyl-2-[S(S)-(ethylsulfonimidoyl)]-N-methyl-8-oxo-purine-7-carboxamide; and 
 6-Amino-9-[(4-bromophenyl)methyl]-N-ethyl-2-[S(R)-(ethylsulfonimidoyl)]-N-methyl-8-oxo-purine-7-carboxamide; 
 
       or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, enantiomer or diastereomer thereof, 
       and a therapeutically inert carrier. 
     
     
       13. A pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 12 , wherein the compound is selected from:
 6-Amino-9-benzyl-N-methyl-8-oxo-N-propyl-2-(propylsulfonimidoyl)purine-7-carboxamide; 
 6-Amino-9-[(4-chlorophenyl)methyl]-2-[S(R)-ethylsulfonimidoyl]-N-methyl-8-oxo-N-propyl-purine-7-carboxamide; 
 6-Amino-9-[(4-chlorophenyl)methyl]-2-[S(S)-ethylsulfonimidoyl]-N-methyl-8-oxo-N-propyl-purine-7-carboxamide; 
 6-Amino-9-[(4-chlorophenyl)methyl]-N-ethyl-2[S(S)-ethylsulfonimidoyl]-N-methyl-8-oxo-purine-7-carboxamide; 
 6-Amino-9-[(4-chlorophenyl)methyl]-N-ethyl-2-[S(R)-ethylsulfonimidoyl]-N-methyl-8-oxo-purine-7-carboxamide; 
 6-Amino-2-[S(S)-ethylsulfonimidoyl]-N-methyl-8-oxo-N-propyl-9-(p-tolylmethyl)purine-7-carboxamide; 
 6-Amino-2-[S(R)-ethylsulfonimidoyl]-N-methyl-8-oxo-N-propyl-9-(p-tolylmethyl)purine-7-carboxamide; 
 6-Amino-N-ethyl-2[S(S)-ethylsulfonimidoyl]-N-methyl-8-oxo-9-(p-tolylmethyl)purine-7-carboxamide; 
 6-Amino-N-ethyl-2-[S(R)-ethylsulfonimidoyl]-N-methyl-8-oxo-9-(p-tolylmethyl)purine-7-carboxamide; 
 6-amino-2-(ethylsulfonimidoyl)-9-[(4-fluorophenyl)methyl]-N-methyl-8-oxo-N-propyl-purine-7-carboxamide; 
 6-Amino-2-[S(S)ethylsulfonimidoyl]-9-[(4-fluorophenyl)methyl]-N-methyl-8-oxo-N-propyl-purine-7-carboxamide; and 
 6-Amino-2-[S(R)ethylsulfonimidoyl]-9-[(4-fluorophenyl)methyl]-N-methyl-8-oxo-N-propyl-purine-7-carboxamide; 
 
       or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, enantiomer or diastereomer thereof. 
     
     
       14. A pharmaceutical composition comprising a compound selected from:
 6-amino-9-[(4-chlorophenyl)methyl]-2-[S(R)-ethylsulfonimidoyl]-N-methyl-8-oxo-N-propyl-purine-7-carboxamide; 
 6-amino-9-[(4-chlorophenyl)methyl]-2-[S(S)-ethylsulfonimidoyl]-N-methyl-8-oxo-N-propyl-purine-7-carboxamide; 
 6-amino-9-[(4-chlorophenyl)methyl]-N-ethyl-2[S(S)-ethylsulfonimidoyl]-N-methyl-8-oxo-purine-7-carboxamide; 
 6-amino-9-[(4-chlorophenyl)methyl]-N-ethyl-2-[S(R)-ethylsulfonimidoyl]-N-methyl-8-oxo-purine-7-carboxamide; 
 6-amino-N-ethyl-2[S(S)-ethylsulfonimidoyl]-N-methyl-8-oxo-9-(p-tolylmethyl)purine-7-carboxamide; 
 6-amino-N-ethyl-2-[S(R)-ethylsulfonimidoyl]-N-methyl-8-oxo-9-(p-tolylmethyl)purine-7-carboxamide; 
 6-amino-9-[(4-bromophenyl)methyl]-2-(ethylsulfonimidoyl)-N-methyl-8-oxo-N-propyl-purine-7-carboxamide; 
 6-amino-2-[S(R)-ethylsulfonimidoyl]-9-[(4-bromophenyl)methyl]-N-methyl-8-oxo-N-propyl-purine-7-carboxamide; 
 6-amino-2-[S(S)-ethylsulfonimidoyl]-9-[(4-bromophenyl)methyl]-N-methyl-8-oxo-N-propyl-purine-7-carboxamide; 
 6-amino-9-[(4-bromophenyl)methyl]-N-ethyl-2-(ethylsulfonimidoyl)-N-methyl-8-oxo-purine-7-carboxamide; 
 6-amino-9-[(4-bromophenyl)methyl]-N-ethyl-2-[S(S)-(ethylsulfonimidoyl)]-N-methyl-8-oxo-purine-7-carboxamide; and 
 6-amino-9-[(4-bromophenyl)methyl]-N-ethyl-2-[S(R)-(ethylsulfonimidoyl)]-N-methyl-8-oxo-purine-7-carboxamide, 
 
       or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof; 
       and a therapeutically inert carrier. 
     
     
       15. A method of inducing production of interferon-a in a subject, the method comprising:
 administering to a subject a pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 1 , wherein the composition comprises a therapeutically effective amount of the compound of formula (I) or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, enantiomer or diastereomer thereof. 
 
     
     
       16. A method of treating a hepatitis B virus infection, the method comprising:
 administering to a patient in need thereof a pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 2 , wherein the composition comprises a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (I), or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, enantiomer or diastereomer thereof. 
 
     
     
       17. A method of treating a hepatitis B virus infection, the method comprising:
 administering to a patient in need thereof a pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 12 , wherein the composition comprises a therapeutically effective amount of the compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, enantiomer or diastereomer thereof. 
 
     
     
       18. A method of treating a hepatitis B virus infection, the method comprising:
 administering to a patient in need thereof a pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 13 , wherein the composition comprises a therapeutically effective amount of the compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, enantiomer or diastereomer thereof. 
 
     
     
       19. A method of treating a hepatitis B virus infection, the method comprising:
 administering to a patient in need thereof a pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 14 , wherein the composition comprises a therapeutically effective amount of the compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, enantiomer or diastereomer thereof. 
 
     
     
       20. A method of inducing production of interferon-a in a subject, the method comprising:
 administering to a subject a pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 12 , wherein the composition comprises a therapeutically effective amount of the compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, enantiomer or diastereomer thereof. 
 
     
     
       21. A method of inducing production of interferon-a in a subject, the method comprising:
 administering to a subject a pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 13 , wherein the composition comprises a therapeutically effective amount of the compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, enantiomer or diastereomer thereof. 
 
     
     
       22. A method of inducing production of interferon-a in a subject, the method comprising:
 administering to a subject a pharmaceutical composition according to  claim 14 , wherein the composition comprises a therapeutically effective amount of the compound, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, enantiomer or diastereomer thereof.